49ers still have issues to fix before next week

Four takeaways from the San Francisco 49ers’ 23-20 victory against the Green Bay Packers Sunday night:

1. Kaepernick has killer instinct necessary in playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is gaining a reputation for not having the qualities necessary to win in the playoffs. 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, however, is building a reputation for the exact opposite.

In his second season as San Francisco’s starter, Kaepernick has shown he has the ability to lead his team to victory in the post-season.

His numbers may not be eye-popping, but they’re enough. Kaepernick threw for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But he also ran for 98 yards on seven attempts, including key scrambles on third downs.

They kept the 49ers alive.

Kaepernick was superb knowing when to take off and when to stay in the pocket–and he kept it out of Rodgers' hands at the end. What a job.

This ability to lead his team in the final minutes is what helped bring the 49ers to within a play of winning last year’s Super Bowl. With San Francisco having to go on the road for the second time next week — against the Carolina Panthers — Kaepernick’s play-making ability will be necessary for the 49ers to advance.

2. The Packers’ offense is effective, but the defense needs work

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers got healthy at the right time. Although Green Bay started slowly against the 49ers, an up-tempo attack helped get the Packers offense in a rhythm against a tough 49ers defense.

Rodgers and the offense made enough plays to win; it was the Packers defense that let the team down.

Green Bay allowed the Niners to amass 381 total yards, and couldn’t get enough stops in the fourth quarter.

Oh, when I say help, I'm not restricting that to offense. Packers MIGHT be 4-12 without Rodgers. RT @J_HUFFman24: A defense would be nice.

Yes, San Francisco deserves credit for traveling in the coldest game the franchise had ever played in and coming out with a hard-fought victory. But if the 49ers want to make a deep run in the playoffs, there are still a few small technical aspects the team needs to improve upon.

In the first quarter, San Francisco had to burn two times out early. More importantly, the 49ers had to burn two more times out in the first eight minutes of the third quarter. In a tight game, this could’ve proven to be costly.

In the end, San Francisco put itself in position to win, but if the Niners continue to have communication issues and have to burn times out, it could be the difference between winning and losing against the Panthers next week.

Another problem?

The Niners had to settle for field goals after making red zone trips in the first half against an average Packers defense.

If San Francisco wants to make its second consecutive Super Bowl, it needs to finish drives.

4. Green Bay let its games get too close, and it cost them

The Packers nearly missed out on the playoffs, were it not for a dramatic fourth-down touchdown late against the Chicago Bears on Week 17 that propelled them to the top of the NFC North and into the playoffs.

Sunday against the 49ers, it was much of the same. Green Bay had chances to put the game away, but let the 49ers hang around. Teams can sometimes win close, but it’s almost impossible to make a deep post-season run when a team has to rely on fourth-quarter heroics.